US stocks edge higher as investors assess economic growth and inflation risks

US stocks edge higher as investors assess economic growth and inflation risks

US stocks gained modestly Tuesday following a selloff in the previous session but investors remain on alert for developments that highlight concerns about slowing economic growth and a run-up in inflation. All three of Wall Street's main benchmarks rose after Monday's slide that brought the Dow industrials down by 250 points. The indexes clung to small gains Tuesday as the reduced its 2021 global growth forecast to 5.9% from 6% as advanced economies grapple in part with supply disruption. The IMF's lower outlook arrived as investors prepare for the third-quarter earnings season to kick off, with JPMorgan & Chase's report due Wednesday. As earnings start to roll in, are near their highest since the beginning of the subprime crisis in 2008. the upcoming earnings season a "make or break" one for investors as companies have already flagged issues surrounding supply chain bottlenecks and rising labor costs. "As we head into earnings season and expect to hear endless commentary about supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and labor shortages, there were some encouraging comments on the subject over the last 24 hours," said Bespoke Investors Group, on Tuesday. "For starters, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon said he feels as though supply chain